Ruukki launches idea contest to design noise barriers

Rautaruukki Corporation Press release 10 April 2012 at 4pm EEST

Ruukki is holding a design and idea contest for noise barriers, which reduce noise pollution from traffic. The contest is open to architects, designers, construction professionals and students. Besides appearance factors, the purpose of the contest is to collect development ideas for the manufacture, installation, barrier construction and technical performance of noise barriers. The contest will be held in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and will start on 10 April and close on 31 May 2012.

"Noise barriers have an important role in the built environment. They improve the habitability of residential areas near roads and railways. Steel is both sustainable and formable. It is also a strong, light material that provides best overall value for money and which can be easily formed into different lasting solutions to harmonise with the environment," notes Petri Nieminen, who is Senior Vice President, Infrastructure Construction at Ruukki.

There are two categories in the noise barrier contest: students and professionals. The main prize is EUR 3,000 in the students category and EUR 7,000 in the professionals category. The main prizes in both categories can be shared by more than one entry.

Entries to the contest must be for designs that use steel as the main material and which are suitable for conditions in the Nordic countries and Baltic states. Entries must be new ideas and not already in use. Entries may also be for partial ideas related to the manufacturing process, installation, barrier construction and technical performance. The winner will be selected by a five-member jury at the end of May beginning of June. Ruukki will utilise viable ideas in product development.